New Hotels to Compliment CBD

PARRAMATTA HOTELS

Alongside the many commercial developments under construction or planned for the Parramatta CBD, are a number of key hotel developments including QT and Hilton. While there is plenty of focus given to the new commercial developments, hotel accommodation and facilities play a major role in the development of a business district providing accommodation for business travellers and facilities to hold corporate events.

For Parramatta, it’s part of the journey to becoming the centre of global Sydney.

Australia’s tourism sector has been decimated by the COVID-19 pandemic but as it recovers Parramatta will be ready. Parramatta’s hotels attract a range of guests and visitors including business and corporate travellers, holiday-makers, locals taking a break, and those attending the City’s major events and festivals including sporting blockbusters and concerts at Bankwest Stadium.

Within the Parramatta LGA which includes Sydney Olympic Park, there are currently 27 hotel properties that provide nearly 3,000 guest rooms. There are plans to expand this as the business district expands and the population of Parramatta grows. By late 2021, it is estimated that there will be over 900 additional guest rooms across the City, that’s an increase of 41 per cent on the current supply (based on approvals and proposals as of the end of 2019).

FIVE-STAR QT HOTEL UNDER CONSTRUCTION

One of the key hotel developments currently under construction in Parramatta is the new QT Hotel at 8 Phillip Street. It’s part of a 55-storey mixed-use tower that, on completion, will combine luxury residential housing with five-star hotel accommodation.

Norman Arundel, Head of Hotels for Event Hospitality and Entertainment the company that owns QT, says that QT Parramatta will be one of our largest properties within the QT portfolio with 250 rooms across 18 storeys.

“We’ve closely watched the rapid expansion of Parramatta as it’s transformed into Sydney’s Central River City. We are thrilled to be starting work on QT Parramatta with the recent ground breaking a shining example of our confidence in the future. Working alongside our partners, Coronation Property, this development is set to be a spectacular addition to Parramatta.

“QT Hotels are highly regarded for their food and beverage offerings – QT Parramatta will be no different. The property will have a signature restaurant and bar, multiple lavish meeting and event spaces and a grand ballroom – with more to be revealed soon.

“One of QT’s most treasured traits is its commitment to inclusivity. We’ll attract corporate guests on overnight stopovers and those in need of a home away from home, locals in need of a staycation or a destination to catch up with friends over a wonderful meal and delicious tipple; we’ll attract interstate and overseas travellers eager to explore Western Sydney, and repeat visitors keen to be reacquainted with the best the city has to offer,” said Arundel.

The new QT Hotel will cater to the rise in demand for quality business accommodation and meeting spaces for events in the City which existed before the COVID pandemic and is likely to continue as the pandemic lessens, and the commercial district of Parramatta grows.

MORE HOTELS ON THE WAY FOR PARRAMATTA

A new 239-room development from the Holiday Inn franchise, Holiday Inn Express is underway in the heart of the CBD targeting business travellers. The NSW Government worked with private equity investment company Pro-Invest Group to help facilitate and secure the investments with advice on regulatory processes, site selection and introductions to potential investors.

Meriton’s latest development will deliver a 58 level Meriton Suites hotel at 180 George Street, the company’s second hotel offering in Parramatta. Overlooking the Parramatta River and CBD, the 266 suites hotel is currently under construction and will open in 2022 catering to corporate and recreational guests.

Still in its planning stages is a new Hilton Hotel on the corner of Macquarie and Marsden Streets. Hilton is partnering with Ledrae Hotels on a new 29-story 245-room hotel in the heart of Parramatta’s CBD. The tower will become the first building dedicated to being a five-star hotel in the Parramatta CBD, rather than a mixed-use tower.

POST-COVID OUTLOOK

While the COVID pandemic has affected the accommodation sector, the future looks bright for hotel demand in the Parramatta CBD as more companies and government departments and agencies, move into the area. Parramatta is expected to welcome 10,000 additional workers in the CBD by 2022, driven by key developments like Parramatta Square which will be complete by 2022.